Ostara: The Scientific Revolution
From Copernicus to Newton, brilliant minds transform our understanding of the universe. As Ostara brings balance, we explore the balance of faith and reason.
UU Principle Focus
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the major figures of the Scientific Revolution
- • Trace the development of the scientific method
- • Explore the relationship between science and faith
- • Master circle measurements, volume, and surface area
- • Apply the scientific method to original investigations
- • Connect Ostara themes of balance to faith and reason
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Copernicus: A New View of the Universe
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Copernicus proposed that Earth orbits the Sun, not the other way around. When have you had to change your understanding of something fundamental?
📚 Language Arts
Study Copernicus and the heliocentric model. Why was this idea revolutionary? Write about paradigm shifts.
📐 Math: Geometry
Circles: parts of a circle, circumference, area. Pi and its applications.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Scientific method review. How do scientists test ideas? Designing experiments.
✏️ Form Drawing
Planetary orbit diagrams; circular designs
🧶 Handwork
Begin spring crafts; egg decorating
📖 Story
Copernicus: Revolutionizing the Heavens
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Copernicus Documentary
- Scientific Method
Shows:
- Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Audio:
- Science history
Week 2: Galileo: Seeing with New Eyes
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Galileo used the telescope to see what no one had seen before. What tools help us see the world differently? (4th Principle: Search for Truth)
📚 Language Arts
Study Galileo: his discoveries, his conflict with the Church. Read his writings. Write about the courage to speak truth.
📐 Math: Geometry
Arc length and sector area. Parts of circles. Real-world applications.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Variables and controls. Independent, dependent, and controlled variables. Fair tests.
✏️ Form Drawing
Telescope and moon phase illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Continue egg decorating; spring planting
📖 Story
Galileo: And Yet It Moves
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Galileo Documentary
- Variables in Experiments
Shows:
- Galileo's Battle for the Heavens
Audio:
- Galileo biography
Week 3: Kepler and the Laws of Planetary Motion
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Kepler discovered that planets move in ellipses, not perfect circles. How do we handle it when reality doesn't match our expectations?
📚 Language Arts
Study Kepler and his laws of planetary motion. The harmony of the spheres. Write about finding patterns in nature.
📐 Math: Geometry
Volume of prisms and cylinders. Three-dimensional measurement.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Data collection and analysis. Tables, graphs, and drawing conclusions.
✏️ Form Drawing
Elliptical orbit designs; geometric patterns
🧶 Handwork
Garden work; spring cleaning rituals
📖 Story
Kepler: The Harmony of the Worlds
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Kepler's Laws
- Data Analysis
Shows:
- The Fabric of the Cosmos
Audio:
- Astronomy history
Week 4: Newton: The Laws of Nature
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Newton unified the heavens and Earth under the same laws. How does understanding connections change how we see the world? (7th Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Isaac Newton: gravity, laws of motion, optics. 'Standing on the shoulders of giants.' Write about building on others' work.
📐 Math: Geometry
Volume of pyramids and cones. Comparing volumes.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Peer review and scientific communication. How science is shared and verified.
✏️ Form Drawing
Light and prism illustrations; apple and gravity
🧶 Handwork
Dye eggs with natural materials; prepare Ostara altar
📖 Story
Newton: The Laws That Govern the Universe
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Isaac Newton Documentary
- Peer Review
Shows:
- Newton: The Dark Heretic
Audio:
- Newton biography
Week 5: The Scientific Method Emerges
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Scientific Revolution gave us a method for testing ideas. How do we know what's true? What role does doubt play in learning?
📚 Language Arts
Study Francis Bacon and the scientific method. Empiricism vs. tradition. Write about how we determine truth.
📐 Math: Geometry
Surface area of prisms and cylinders. Nets and three-dimensional thinking.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Ethics in science. Responsible research. Historical examples of ethical issues.
✏️ Form Drawing
Scientific instrument illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Complete Ostara crafts; prepare celebration
📖 Story
Francis Bacon and the Birth of Modern Science
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Scientific Method History
- Science Ethics
Shows:
- The Story of Science
Audio:
- Philosophy of science
Week 6: Ostara: Balance of Faith and Reason
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Scientific Revolution challenged traditional beliefs but also revealed the wonder of creation. How do we balance faith and reason, wonder and analysis?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on faith and reason. Can they coexist? Complete Scientific Revolution projects.
📐 Math: Geometry
Review geometry: circles, volume, surface area. Real-world applications.
🔬 Science: Scientific Method
Review scientific method. Design and present an original experiment.
✏️ Form Drawing
Spring equinox designs—balance of light and dark
🧶 Handwork
Complete Ostara altar; plant seeds
📖 Story
The Wonder of Discovery
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Spring Equinox
- Science Review
Shows:
- Wonders of the Universe
Audio:
- Spring stories
🌸 Ostara Celebration
- 🟡 Create a balance altar celebrating science and wonder
- 🟡 Plant seeds and celebrate new growth
- 🟡 Present original science experiments
- 🟡 Decorate eggs with scientific and astronomical designs
- 🟡 Hold a feast celebrating the balance of the equinox
- 🟡 Reflect on the wonder of discovery